President Ramaphosa Weighs Further Fuel Price Relief as South Africans Face Rising Costs
- President Cyril Ramaphosa confirmed the government is weighing further fuel price relief for South Africans struggling with rising living costs
- Ramaphosa revealed the state spent approximately R24 billion on a fuel subsidy during a previous period of price increases
- Parliament has advanced a proposed R10 billion fuel relief allocation for debate in the National Assembly
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SANDTON — President Cyril Ramaphosa has confirmed that the government is actively weighing additional measures to soften the blow of rising fuel prices, but cautioned that any intervention would divert funds from other state programmes.
Ramaphosa addressed journalists on Monday, 19 October 2026, at the Bana Pele Early Childhood Development Summit in Sandton, where he acknowledged that the burden of rising fuel costs was being felt across households and businesses nationwide.
SA's fuel bill already cost R24 billion
The president noted that South Africa is not alone in facing this challenge.
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"The issue of the fuel price is a problem globally. We're not the only country that is affected by rising fuel prices," he said.
He pointed to the significant fiscal cost of previous government relief, disclosing that the state channelled roughly R24 billion into a fuel subsidy during an earlier surge in prices.
"Now that is R24 billion that we are removing from other programmes, "he said.
With pump prices climbing again, Ramaphosa indicated that officials were weighing their options carefully.
"Now that it's gone up again, everyone in the world is giving consideration on what they should do, so are we," he said.
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Petrol surges after levy relief ends
The president's remarks follow steep fuel price increases that took effect on 7 October 2026. Inland 95-octane petrol rose by R3.33 per litre to R30.25, while 93-octane petrol climbed R3.12 to R29.88 per litre. Diesel prices also increased sharply.
The hikes came after the expiry of temporary fuel-levy relief that had been in place between April and June. At its peak, that relief cut the general fuel levy by R3 per litre on petrol and by as much as R3.93 per litre on diesel. The removal of those reductions has pushed transport and supply chain costs higher, amplifying pressure on food prices and other essential goods.
Parliament tables R10 billion allocation
Separately, Parliament has moved a proposed R10 billion fuel relief allocation to debate in the National Assembly. The proposal signals growing legislative pressure on the executive to act, though it carries no guarantee of an immediate reduction at the pumps.
Zungula calls for overhaul of fuel levies
Briefly News previously reported that mounting financial pressure on South Africans prompted African Transformation Movement (ATM) parliamentary leader Vuyo Zungula to lobby Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe for a complete overhaul of fuel levies. Zungula asserts that adjusting tax components in the pricing formula could slice pump rates by up to R6 a litre. Zungula highlighted how continuous price hikes ripple through transport, food security, and general living expenses. He criticized the ministry for failing to meet its 2025/26 performance benchmark regarding the fuel formula evaluation.
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Source: Briefly News
